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Top 10 fantasy football running back sleepers for 2017

By Jay Marsdale

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Mike Gillislee #35 of the Buffalo Bills runs past Greg Hardy #76 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Mike Gillislee #35 of the Buffalo Bills runs past Greg Hardy #76 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

6. Mike Gillislee (NE)

Mike Gillislee is next on the list of fantasy football running back sleepers for 2017. This has just as much, if not more, to do with his new team than any other factor. The move from Buffalo to New England could be just what Gillislee needed to take his play to the next level and become a real fantasy contributor in 2017.

Stop me if you’ve heard this story before. Bill Belichick takes an under achieving running back, plugs him into the right plays in the Patriots offense, and every other team looks silly for allowing it to happen. Gillislee is looking to step in for another running back who did this in New England, LeGarrette Blount.

Gillislee played for two other AFC East teams so the Patriots have seen enough of him to know what he is. Backing up LeSean McCoy in Buffalo, he still averaged a fantastic 5.7 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns. 

The Patriots running back situation is always one that confuses fantasy football owners. However, Gillislee is the only big workhorse back on the team for first- and second-down runs. Belichick has found hidden gems his entire coaching career and Gillislee will be another in 2017.

He is being picked in fantasy drafts at the same time as some backups. Grab him to be a low-end RB2 or a high-upside running back on your bench, and wait for Belichick to work his magic with Mike Gillislee.